NSG 3850 EXAM 2 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY II
ULTIMATE PREP Q&AS WITH HIGH-YIELD
RATIONALES
This premium, high-yield study package features
rigorous, exam-style multiple-choice questions
meticulously aligned with the NSG 3850
Pathophysiology II curriculum. Every question
delivers a direct, verified answer alongside an
exhaustive, bolded clinical rationale mapping out
complex respiratory, cardiovascular, and
hematologic disease processes. It serves as an
indispensable, comprehensive prep resource
engineered to help nursing students master
advanced concepts and excel on their second
pathophysiology exam.
Question 1
A patient presents to the emergency department with a respiratory
rate of 8 breaths per minute. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis
reveals a PaCO₂ of 56 mmHg. Which of the following
pathophysiologic states is this patient experiencing?
A) Hyperventilation
,B) Hypoventilation
C) Anemic hypoxia
D) Circulatory hypoxia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoventilation occurs when delivery of air to the
alveoli is insufficient, leading to an increase in PaCO₂
(hypercapnia) and respiratory acidosis. Hyperventilation lowers
PaCO₂, while anemic and circulatory hypoxia relate to
hemoglobin and cardiac output deficiencies rather than ventilation
failure.
Question 2
A client with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is admitted with a low arterial oxygen concentration
(PaO₂). The nurse understands that this lack of oxygen at the
tissue level, occurring despite normal hemoglobin levels and
adequate cardiac output, is classified as which type of hypoxia?
A) Circulatory hypoxia
B) Anemic hypoxia
C) Hypoxic hypoxia
D) Histotoxic hypoxia
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoxic hypoxia occurs when arterial PO₂ is low
despite a normal oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. It is
typically caused by high altitude, hypoventilation, or severe V/Q
mismatch as seen in chronic lung diseases like COPD.
Question 3
,An administrative professional experiences a sudden onset of
panic, leading to rapid, deep breathing at a rate of 34 breaths per
minute. Which arterial blood gas finding is most consistent with
this presentation?
A) PaCO₂ of 50 mmHg
B) PaCO₂ of 28 mmHg
C) PaO₂ of 55 mmHg
D) HCO₃⁻ of 12 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperventilation involves excessive alveolar
ventilation that eliminates carbon dioxide faster than it is
produced. This results in hypocapnia, defined as a PaCO ₂ less
than 35 mmHg.
Question 4
A patient diagnosed with severe iron-deficiency anemia exhibits
signs of tissue hypoxia. The nurse notes the patient’s cardiac
output and arterial oxygen tension (PaO₂) are within normal limits.
What type of hypoxia is this patient experiencing?
A) Circulatory hypoxia
B) Hypoxic hypoxia
C) Anemic hypoxia
D) Stagnant hypoxia
Answer: C
Rationale: Anemic hypoxia is caused by a reduction in the
oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, which results from a
decrease in total hemoglobin levels or altered hemoglobin binding
capacity, even though the lungs are functioning normally.
, Question 5
A patient arrives in the emergency department in cardiogenic
shock. The nurse understands that the patient's tissues are
hypoxic due to a failure of the heart to pump blood effectively to
peripheral tissues. This represents:
A) Hypoxic hypoxia
B) Circulatory hypoxia
C) Anemic hypoxia
D) Histotoxic hypoxia
Answer: B
Rationale: Circulatory (stagnant) hypoxia occurs when the blood
flow and delivery of oxygen to the tissues are inadequate due to
low cardiac output, shock, or localized vascular occlusion, despite
normal arterial oxygen saturation and hemoglobin.
Question 6
During an assessment of a patient with an obstructive lung
disorder, the nurse understands that the primary physiological
hallmark of this classification of disease is:
A) Increased resistance to airflow, especially during expiration
B) Decreased lung compliance and rigid alveolar walls
C) Increased elastic recoil during inspiration
D) Mechanical restriction of chest wall expansion
Answer: A
Rationale: Obstructive lung diseases (such as asthma,
emphysema, and chronic bronchitis) are characterized by airway
obstruction that creates increased resistance to airflow, which is
ULTIMATE PREP Q&AS WITH HIGH-YIELD
RATIONALES
This premium, high-yield study package features
rigorous, exam-style multiple-choice questions
meticulously aligned with the NSG 3850
Pathophysiology II curriculum. Every question
delivers a direct, verified answer alongside an
exhaustive, bolded clinical rationale mapping out
complex respiratory, cardiovascular, and
hematologic disease processes. It serves as an
indispensable, comprehensive prep resource
engineered to help nursing students master
advanced concepts and excel on their second
pathophysiology exam.
Question 1
A patient presents to the emergency department with a respiratory
rate of 8 breaths per minute. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis
reveals a PaCO₂ of 56 mmHg. Which of the following
pathophysiologic states is this patient experiencing?
A) Hyperventilation
,B) Hypoventilation
C) Anemic hypoxia
D) Circulatory hypoxia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoventilation occurs when delivery of air to the
alveoli is insufficient, leading to an increase in PaCO₂
(hypercapnia) and respiratory acidosis. Hyperventilation lowers
PaCO₂, while anemic and circulatory hypoxia relate to
hemoglobin and cardiac output deficiencies rather than ventilation
failure.
Question 2
A client with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is admitted with a low arterial oxygen concentration
(PaO₂). The nurse understands that this lack of oxygen at the
tissue level, occurring despite normal hemoglobin levels and
adequate cardiac output, is classified as which type of hypoxia?
A) Circulatory hypoxia
B) Anemic hypoxia
C) Hypoxic hypoxia
D) Histotoxic hypoxia
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoxic hypoxia occurs when arterial PO₂ is low
despite a normal oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. It is
typically caused by high altitude, hypoventilation, or severe V/Q
mismatch as seen in chronic lung diseases like COPD.
Question 3
,An administrative professional experiences a sudden onset of
panic, leading to rapid, deep breathing at a rate of 34 breaths per
minute. Which arterial blood gas finding is most consistent with
this presentation?
A) PaCO₂ of 50 mmHg
B) PaCO₂ of 28 mmHg
C) PaO₂ of 55 mmHg
D) HCO₃⁻ of 12 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperventilation involves excessive alveolar
ventilation that eliminates carbon dioxide faster than it is
produced. This results in hypocapnia, defined as a PaCO ₂ less
than 35 mmHg.
Question 4
A patient diagnosed with severe iron-deficiency anemia exhibits
signs of tissue hypoxia. The nurse notes the patient’s cardiac
output and arterial oxygen tension (PaO₂) are within normal limits.
What type of hypoxia is this patient experiencing?
A) Circulatory hypoxia
B) Hypoxic hypoxia
C) Anemic hypoxia
D) Stagnant hypoxia
Answer: C
Rationale: Anemic hypoxia is caused by a reduction in the
oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, which results from a
decrease in total hemoglobin levels or altered hemoglobin binding
capacity, even though the lungs are functioning normally.
, Question 5
A patient arrives in the emergency department in cardiogenic
shock. The nurse understands that the patient's tissues are
hypoxic due to a failure of the heart to pump blood effectively to
peripheral tissues. This represents:
A) Hypoxic hypoxia
B) Circulatory hypoxia
C) Anemic hypoxia
D) Histotoxic hypoxia
Answer: B
Rationale: Circulatory (stagnant) hypoxia occurs when the blood
flow and delivery of oxygen to the tissues are inadequate due to
low cardiac output, shock, or localized vascular occlusion, despite
normal arterial oxygen saturation and hemoglobin.
Question 6
During an assessment of a patient with an obstructive lung
disorder, the nurse understands that the primary physiological
hallmark of this classification of disease is:
A) Increased resistance to airflow, especially during expiration
B) Decreased lung compliance and rigid alveolar walls
C) Increased elastic recoil during inspiration
D) Mechanical restriction of chest wall expansion
Answer: A
Rationale: Obstructive lung diseases (such as asthma,
emphysema, and chronic bronchitis) are characterized by airway
obstruction that creates increased resistance to airflow, which is
